Special Prosecutor To Investigate Marion Land Fraud

OCALA — Gov. Bob Graham has appointed a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of fraud in a Marion County land project because one of the suspects is a friend of State Attorney Ray Gill.

Gill said Thursday that he asked Graham to appoint the prosecutor after Gill's investigators received complaints that former Marion County Attorney Robert Stephen Ryder was involved in a tax-shelter sales scheme under investigation in Marion County.

Gill said the Marion County Sheriff's Department and the state attorney's staff are investigating complaints from several out-of-state doctors who claim that they were defrauded in a Marion County development called Whispering Sands.

Gill said the allegation involves the construction and sale of quadraplex apartments to the doctors. The apartments then would then be rented, with the owners obtaining tax breaks, Gill said.

Ryder could not be reached Thursday for comment.

Graham assigned Orange-Osceola State Attorney Robert Eagan to investigate the case. The term of the special assignment will end June 30.

Gill said he does not know how many victims are involved or the amount of money they claim to have lost.

Gill said he has known Ryder during the attorney's work as both an assistant state attorney under former State Attorney Gordon Oldham, and as Marion County attorney. He said he also rented office space to Ryder in 1983 and 1984, before Gill was elected state attorney.